The Dutch competition watchdog has fined four major tobacco makers a total of EUR 82 million for “distorting competition”, Reuters reported.

The tobacco manufacturers are Philip Morris, British American Tobacco (BAT), Japan Tobacco International (JTI), and Van Nelle. In a statement, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) said the four had illegally exchanged information about future pricing plans in the 2008-2011 period, the report said.
According to the report, British American Tobacco was fined EUR 31.2 million, Philip Morris was fined EUR 27.5 million, JTI was fined EUR 13 million and Van Nelle was fined EUR 10.4 million. All four cigarette makers have filed objections against the decision.